The plot
What kind of narrator do we have in this story and who is the narrator?
1.person narrator and a woman - a mother
How does the author create suspense in the story?
It is unclear to the reader until p.250 what has actually happened to the girl. We learn that she has been kidnapped on p.252.
The only thing the girl says is “It was dark”
She is traumatized.
The narrator experienced something when she was 11 years old.
A man exposed himself to her.
How does the ftaher repond to the fact that the daughter lies motionless in a dark room?
He shows more impatience than empathy.
What happens at end of the story?
The daughter and mother have a moment of eye contact and understanding.
Describe the gender roles in the story.
The father is the patriarch of the family and usually dominates both the mother and daughter.
The mother is submissive, but does have small bouts of rebellion in the text.
The daugther is expected to follow the guidelines for women even though she is just a girl.
The symbol of the "spot in the ceiling" and at the end "the shining circle".
The daugther is slowly getting out of her trauma. There might be hope for her recovery - and also for the mother's.
Comment on this quote. “As for me there was no anger. Do you Rage Against the inevitable?” (p.252, l.44)
Girls will at some point be violated sexually by men
What does the father think would be the right way to respond to the situation.
He thinks fear is something to be controlled, not expressed, and wants his daughter to “grow out of it.”
On this quote: “what if something happens?” What is the man referring to? (p. 249, l. 25)
He is worried that his daugther i s pregnant
Silence, not talking openly about things, seems to be how people in this short story deal with things. Name a couple of examples from the text and explain their relevance.
Husband tapping his fingers in silence (p.249)
I sat sullen, silent, calculating (p.250)
...her eyes fixed on the cealing (p.251)
There are more examples!
What role do violence, submission and the freedom of women play in this short story?
You choose - come up with a good answer!
There is a history of submission in the family.
The narrator's mother has submissed herself to her husband and has taught her daugther to do the same. it is easier.
What character traits does the father have?
Logic, discipline, and authority.
On p. 250 l. 43, the narrator says:” He stared at me for a moment, then walked out. I was filled with triumph.” Why does she feel this way?
She has stood up against her husband and done what she thought was right.
The narrator refuses to meet the neighbour women.
People gossip
The shame involved
Former experiences from the narrator's past
The story is called "The Dark", because...?
There is a literal darkness in the room and there is metaphorical darkness in both the narrator's and the daughter's mind.
The narrator explains that her mother told her to build a wall around herself. What “wall” is the narrator referring to? (p.252, line 25)
A behavior where she as a girl would limit herself from any actions that would include a risk of interacting with men.
Suggest why the father does not force his wife to greet the visiting neigbors.
Shame - guilt? Elaborate.
Comment on this quote: “But my eyes were looking for something else. Not finding it, I went to the bed, and drawing back the blanket, looked quickly, furtively at the sheet. Nothing.” (p. 251, l. 25) What is she looking for?
She is looking to see if there might be any blood on the sheet. Indicating that she might have her period.
The girl is not wearing her own clothes when she is found.
She as been abducted by a man who wants her to work in a brothel. He has dressed her as a prosititute.
How do women in India to live between obedience and self-awareness?
Suggest a good answer yourselves!
Comment on this quote: “there was no enemy but the dark, No Fear but the fear of being alone. What had the man to do with it? (p.252, l.16)
Being left alone as a child with the abuse and the shame.
How does the father's behavior match what we already know about typical or traditional male behavior in India?
His attitude reflects a traditional Indian father’s role: loving but restrained, rational but unable to express warmth.